Overview
Four days in Manali with one local car and driver: the town's temples and old village on day one, Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu on day two, Rohtang Pass on day three when it's open, and the Naggar castle and Kullu on the way out, finishing at Kullu's Bhuntar airport or your Kullu hotel. Manali's sightseeing trips are run by local Manali taxis, so this plan uses a Manali-based operator who knows the permit rules, the snow conditions and the best times to leave each morning. It suits families and couples who've reached Manali, by road or air, and want the main sights without arranging a new taxi every day. We adjust the order to the weather: if Rohtang is closed or permits are sold out, we swap in Sissu or a quieter day in the valley.
Best for: Families and couples staying in Manali who want Solang, the Atal Tunnel and Rohtang with one local driver
- Manalistart
- Kulluend
- Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu in one easy day
- Rohtang Pass with the permit arranged a day ahead (when the pass is open)
- Old Manali, Hadimba temple and Vashisht's hot springs
- Naggar castle and the Kullu valley on the way out
- A local Manali driver who knows the snow and permit rules
Day by day
- Day1
Manali: Hadimba temple, Old Manali and Vashisht
Around Manali~15 km · About 1 hour of driving in townOvernight: Manali
An easy first day after arriving. Visit the Hadimba Devi temple in its deodar forest, walk through Old Manali's lanes and cafés, and cross the river to Vashisht for the hot springs and temple. End the day on the Mall Road. The driver stays on call for short hops, so you don't need to find local taxis.
- Day2
Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu
Around Manali~90 km · 4–6 hours with stopsOvernight: Manali
Leave by 8–9 am for Solang Valley, about 14 km away, for the meadow, the ropeway and paragliding or snow play by season. Continue through the 9.02 km Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul for the waterfall and wide valley views, then return to Manali by late afternoon. In heavy snow, access beyond the tunnel can be restricted; we check the evening before.
Road guide: Manali to Sissu (Atal Tunnel) → - Day3
Rohtang Pass (when open)
Around Manali~102 km · 5–7 hours including time at the passOvernight: Manali
Rohtang is about 51 km from Manali and usually open from mid-May to around late October. We apply for the vehicle permit the day before, and you leave by 5–6 am to clear the Gulaba check post early. Spend an hour or two in the snow at about 3,978 m, then return. If the pass is closed or permits are sold out, we swap in a second Sissu day or the Naggar and Jana waterfall area.
Road guide: Manali to Rohtang Pass → - Day4
Naggar and Kullu, drop at Bhuntar airport
Manali → Kullu~55 km · 2–3 hours with stops
Take the quieter left-bank road via Naggar for the old castle and the Roerich gallery, then cross the Beas to the highway. Stop for rafting or the shawl showrooms near Kullu, and finish at your Kullu hotel or Bhuntar airport, about 10 km beyond Kullu town. For a flight, we time the departure with a buffer for the valley road.
Road guide: Manali to Kullu →
Choosing the right month
Manali changes completely with the seasons, and so does this plan. From mid-May to June, Rohtang is usually open with snow walls along the road, Solang has paragliding, and the valley is green; it's also the busiest season, so permits and hotels need booking early. September to October brings the clearest skies and autumn colours, with Rohtang still usually open until late October.
From December to February, Manali is a snow destination: Solang and Sissu become snow-play days, while Rohtang is closed to tourist vehicles, so we swap in a second snow day. July and August are the monsoon months, when rain can close roads for a few hours and paragliding often stops; the plan stays flexible.
- Mid-May to June: Rohtang open, busiest season.
- September to October: clearest views.
- December to February: snow at Solang and Sissu; Rohtang closed.
- July to August: monsoon; expect changes.
What to pack for the snow days
Even in early summer, Rohtang and the Lahaul side of the Atal Tunnel can be close to freezing, with wind and wet snow. Bring warm layers, gloves, a hat, sunglasses and waterproof shoes. Snow suits and boots can be hired cheaply in Manali and at Solang if you don't want to carry them. Sunscreen matters at altitude, even on cloudy days.
Rohtang is at nearly 4,000 m. Move slowly, drink water, and come down if anyone feels dizzy, breathless or develops a headache. If you're travelling with small children or elderly parents, a short visit or Sissu instead is the gentler choice.
Getting to Manali for this tour
The tour starts in Manali, so you can arrive however suits you. Kullu's Bhuntar airport is about 50 km away and we can meet your flight. From Chandigarh, the drive is about 7–9 hours, and from Delhi about 12–14, or overnight Volvo buses run from both. Tell us how you're arriving and we'll add the transfer to the start of the plan.
Tour price by vehicle
Starting prices for the whole 4-day tour (car, driver, fuel, tolls, state taxes and the driver's night allowance). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book.
42
₹24,200
starting · full tour
63
₹30,200
starting · full tour
₹33,200
starting · full tour
₹53,200
starting · full tour
Included
- Same car and driver for all days
- Fuel, tolls and state entry taxes
- Driver's food, stay and night allowance
- Local sightseeing on the days shown
Not included
- ×Hotels and meals
- ×Rohtang permit fee (added to your quote at cost when booked) and activity charges at Solang
- ×Parking, entry tickets and rafting
When to go
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Snow likely, roads can close | February: Snow likely, roads can close | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Snow likely, roads can close |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • Mid-May to October: Rohtang is usually open; Solang has paragliding and meadow activities.
- • December to February: Solang and Sissu are snow days; Rohtang is closed, so we replace it with a second snow day or the valley.
- • July–August: monsoon rain can close roads for a few hours; we keep the plan flexible.
Frequently asked questions
Can you pick us up from Kullu airport or Chandigarh?+
Yes. Add a Kullu airport pickup, or a transfer from Chandigarh, at the start.
What happens if Rohtang is closed?+
We swap in another day, usually Sissu via the Atal Tunnel or the Naggar side of the valley.
Is the Rohtang permit included?+
We arrange it for the vehicle and add the fee at cost to your written quote.
Is this tour good for small children?+
Yes. Days are short, and you can skip Rohtang's altitude if anyone is unwell.
Can we end in Manali instead of Kullu?+
Yes. Day four can finish back in Manali if you're staying on or leaving by bus.
Which vehicle is best?+
An SUV or Innova Crysta, especially in snow season; a sedan is fine in summer for small groups.
